1. GRASP - Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program
CANDIDACY PROPOSAL SERIES
The Literature review:
finding your scholarly voice and developing
an argument
This workshop considers the literature review as a framing of voices, perspectives and debates on a topic through the lens of a central research question.

2. Rationale and outline of the workshop
5 The Literature Review
Rationale and outline of the workshop
This workshop considers the literature review as a framing of voices, perspectives and debates on a topic through
the lens of a central research question.
It outlines the functions, content and structure of the typical narrative literature review, and highlights the importance
of expressing one’s ‘scholarly voice’ through analysis, critical review and synthesis of sources in the existing literature.

3. Some (but not all) aims of today’s class
5 The Literature Review
Some (but not all) aims of today’s class
To help us “stop using the literature review as an excuse for not writing.”
(Goodson, 2017)
To help us realise that above all, the literature review is an ARGUMENT.
To explain why a narrative literature review is organised thematically.
To give us a clear picture of what the literature review looks like.

4. Perhaps this aim is the most important?
5 The Literature Review
Perhaps this aim is the most important?
To help us “stop using the literature review as an excuse for not writing.”
(Goodson, 2017, p.237)

5. What is a literature review?
5 The Literature Review
What is a literature review?
“ A literature review is a written document that presents a logically argued case founded on
a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge about a topic of study.
This case establishes a convincing thesis to answer the study’s question.”
(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 5)

6. 5. Critique the literature
5 The Literature Review
1. Select a topic
6. Write the review
2. Develop tools of
argumentation
A six-step literature
review model
5. Critique the literature
3. Search the literature
4. Survey the
literature
(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 8)

7. 5 The Literature Review The Literature Review is a process of
Recognize & define a problem
5 The Literature Review
1. Select a topic
6. Write the review
Communicate &
evaluate the
conclusions
2. Develop tools of
argumentation
Create a process for
solving the problem
The Literature Review
is a process of
CRITICAL THINKING
5. Critique the literature
Draw conclusions
Collect & compile
information
3. Search the literature
4. Survey the
literature
Discover the
evidence &
build the argument
(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6)

8. Recognize & define a problem
5 The Literature Review
Recognize & define a problem
Create a process for
solving the problem
Communicate &
evaluate the
conclusions
The Literature Review
is a process of
CRITICAL THINKING
Draw conclusions
Collect & compile
information
Discover the
evidence &
build the argument
(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6)

9. The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9)
5 The Literature Review
The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9)
Step 1 Select a topic Recognize and define the problem
“The topic statement must be well defined”; keep refining terms for accurate focus.
Step 2 Develop the tools Create a process for solving the problem
for argument “…the rules and tools for employing an informal argument must be employed.”
Connect evidence (data) and claim with a warrant.
Step 3 Search the literature Collect & organize the information
narrow down the information “to only the data that provide the strongest evidence to
support the thesis case.”

10. The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9)
5 The Literature Review
The six steps explained (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p. 6-9)
Step 4 Survey the literature Discover the evidence and build findings
Logically assemble, organize and analyse the data, to produce a set of defensible
findings on what is known about the topic.
Step 5 Critique the literature Draw conclusions
Interpret the findings produced by the survey of literature. These “ findings are
logically arranged as conclusions to form the argument that justifies the thesis
statement.”
Step 6 Write the review Communicate and evaluate the conclusions
Convey to the target audience the results of the research. Writing, auditing
and editing building on the writing done in the first five steps.

11. TWO TYPES OF ARGUMENT IN THE LITERATURE REVIEW
Argument of Discovery (inductive)
An argument proving that the findings of fact represent the current state of knowledge regarding the
research topic.
Argument of Advocacy (implicative)
An argument based on claims that have been proven as fact and that serve as premises for logically driving a
conclusion – in this case, the thesis statement of the literature review.

12. The structure of the simple argument
5 The Literature Review
The structure of the simple argument
(Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p.51)
Data a
Organized evidence
CLAIM
Warrant
Logical Bridge
Data n
“Given the data on the subject, this is what we can conclude.”

13. 5 The Literature Review
The development of a more complex argument (Machi & McEvoy, 2016, p.53)
Simple claim n
Premise n
Simple claim 3
Premise 3
Major
Claim
Simple claim 2
Premise 2
Simple claim 1
Evidence Claim
Warrant
Premise 1
Warrant

14. 5 The Literature Review

15. 5 The Literature Review

16. 5 The Literature Review
Tara Brabazon: Ten Quick Tips for Writing a Literature Review
A stroppy professor's guide to literature reviews

17. 5 The Literature Review
Tara Brabazon: Ten Quick Tips for Writing a Literature Review
1. Remember that the literature review is a frame. It needs an organising principle; state what is included & excluded.
2. Always keep in in mind the purpose of the literature review in the context of your research project. One sentence – what you are looking for?
3. Remember – you are finding a gap in the literature. You need to make an original contribution to knowledge.
4. Remember to be accurate and rigorous. You need to abide by and demonstrate academic protocols and literacies; clearly distinguish paraphrase and direct quote.
5. Remember – you are reading for interpretation, not facts.
6. Ensure that your literature review is integrated, and not fragmented. Introduction and conclusion are important; ensure smooth transition.
7. Be prepared to ‘go meta’. Meta analysis is the big picture; focus on the ‘why’, not the ‘what’; think about your and others’ historical positioning.
8. Understand the difference between a literature review and a systematic review.
9. Don’t forget the value of theory. Theory is the why of knowledge; the key moment in the construction of knowledge. align epistemology, ontology and methodol0gy
10. Use signpost in your literature review. Must be well structured into sections; the literature review is the spine of the thesis.

18. 5 The Literature Review
References
Brabazon, Tara ‘A Stroppy Professor’s Guide to Literature Review.’ Office of Graduate Research, Flinders University.
Goodson, P Becoming an Academic Writer. Second edition. Los Angeles: Sage
Machi, L. A. ; McEvoy, B. T The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Third edition. Thousand Oaks, California : Corwin
North Carolina State University Literature Review: An Overview for Graduate Students.
The Learning Centre, Curtin University Literature Review